Pas man told to apologise over disrespectful remarks

New Straits Times

2 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Pas information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari has been urged to issue a public apology to the people of Thailand and Cambodia over a statement deemed rash, disrespectful, and damaging to Malaysia's reputation.
The call was made by political secretary to the Prime Minister and Finance Minister Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim following Ahmad Fadhli's criticism of Malaysia's role — particularly the prime minister's — in efforts to mediate the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, which recently culminated in a ceasefire agreement brokered through Malaysian diplomatic initiatives.
"Malaysia will not, under any circumstances, condone rash and foolish behaviour that shows not an ounce of respect for other nations, especially our neighbours.
"This sort of statement is inappropriate and brings shame to the country," he said in a post on his official X account today.
Earlier, Ahmad Fadhli faced widespread backlash on social media after posting a controversial message about the resolution of the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.
The Pasir Mas member of parliament uploaded an illustration featuring three animals - a goat and a sheep fighting over a banana, with a monkey acting as a judge.
In his post, Ahmad Fadhli wrote that the goat and the sheep would be better off without the monkey acting as a mediator in their dispute. He also included a news article about the Thailand-Cambodia tensions alongside the image.
Kamil said that Malaysia's role as mediator between the two conflict-hit nations was not politically motivated or linked to any particular party or individual.
He said that the matter concerned Malaysia's standing as a respected leader in the region.
"While the international community recognises Malaysia's role — particularly that of the prime minister — as a leading figure and architect of regional peace, especially after our two neighbouring countries, Thailand and Cambodia, agreed to initiate a ceasefire, some individuals continue to undermine and question these noble efforts.
"What is ironic is that the ones belittling this achievement are not outsiders, but members of the opposition within our own country, who appear more eager to witness failure than to celebrate a national success.
"This initiative has been well received globally — from the United States and China presidents to the entire Asean community — yet our opposition chooses to respond with cynicism and pessimism.
"They seem to forget that during their time in power, not a single diplomatic achievement of this scale or significance was ever realised," he said.